President Obama leaves after he addressed the Nunn-Lugar Cooperative Threat Reduction symposium Dec. 3, 2012 at the National Defense University in Washington. / Alex Wong, Getty Images

by Aamer Madhani, USA TODAY

by Aamer Madhani, USA TODAY

President Obama announced on Tuesday that he has approved an additional $155 million in humanitarian aid to the Syrian people.

With the new infusion of aid, the Obama administration has now committed $365 million in humanitarian assistance since the unrest against the Bashar Assad's regime began nearly two years ago.

"We're under no illusions," Obama said in a video statement announcing the new aid. "The days ahead will continue to be very difficult. But what's clear is that the regime continues to weaken and lose control of territory. The opposition continues to grow stronger. More Syrians are standing up for their dignity."

The announcement of the new aid also comes as Obama has come under increasing pressure from Syrian rebels working to topple the Assad regime and the larger international community for the U.S. to take a more active role in ending the bloodshed that has left 60,000 dead.

Obama was circumspect in an interview published by The New Republic this week about the benefits of American intervention.

"In a situation like Syria, I have to ask: Can we make a difference in that situation?" Obama said. "Could it trigger even worse violence or the use of chemical weapons? What offers the best prospect of a stable post-Assad regime?

"And how do I weigh tens of thousands who've been killed in Syria versus the tens of thousands who are currently being killed in the Congo?" he said.